Ops Park Attendant Jobs

Requisition No: 800259

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK ATTENDANT - 37979294

Position Number: 37979294

Salary: $15.00 per hour

Posting Closing Date: 04/30/2023

OPS PARK ATTENDANT

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem.

The Work You Will Do:

EXOTICS TECHNICIAN (37979294)

NATURE COAST STATE TRAIL

This position is centered on the parks’ natural resources and will provide much needed support in achieving current and future resource management goals. The successful candidate must be able to work independently and in isolated areas. The selected candidate should be prepared to work outdoors in all types of weather, while dealing with mosquitos and other wildlife. The successful candidate should be able to accurately identify exotic plant species for treatment and survey tracking. The candidate will need to be able to treat surveyed areas, with appropriate techniques and thoroughness. The position will work 29 hours a week and the position includes no health benefits.

Contact: Kirk Marhefka

[email protected]

352-535-5181

The Difference You Will Make:

Florida state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by all through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida. SM

How You Will Grow:

DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

Nature Coast State Trail

17441 N.W. Old Fanning Road

Fanning Springs, FL 32693

The Nature Coast State Trail provides an excellent opportunity to experience natural North Florida.

In the early 1900s, trains replaced the steamship as the freight and passenger carrier throughout the Suwannee River Valley. Today, visitors can retrace the historic route of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad, traversing 32 miles of Florida's beautiful Nature Coast region.

Officially part of Florida's Greenways and Trails System, this state trail has also been designated as a national recreation trail. It consists of two primary alignments built along abandoned rail lines that intersect at Wilcox Junction, connecting the communities of Cross City, Trenton, Fanning Springs and Chiefland. As funding becomes available, the trail will extend approximately nine miles east from Trenton toward Newberry. Among the trail's highlights is the Historic Suwannee River Railroad Bridge, which is east of the Old Town Trailhead.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*). For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees

For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

• Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Pay:

$15.00 PER HOUR

Your Specific Responsibilities:

An opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hardworking individual to fill a non-resident OPS Park Attendant position focused on resource management exotic plant control at the Nature Coast State Trail. If you are a hard worker and wish to be part of our Florida Park Service team, work in a highly supportive, creative and fun environment, are anxious to take on new responsibilities with extensive personal development opportunities, where each day is rewarding and diverse, apply for this position.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

Understand importance of exotic vegetation removal of non-native plant communities; Collects and analyzes natural resource data and information related to exotic plant species at Nature Coast State Trail. Works to accomplish annual exotic plant management goals by surveying and correctly identifying and/or removing non-native, invasive plants, through mechanical or chemical means. Communicates and coordinates surveys and treatments with Park Services Specialist.

MAINTENANCE:

Performing preventative and basic corrective maintenance on all equipment including park vehicles. Communicates equipment maintenance needs to management. Conducts ongoing safety inspections as part of work assignments. Maintains shop readiness for quick efficient repairs

VISITOR SERVICES:

Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions in an accurate and professional manner. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations.

ADMINISTRATION:

Tracks daily progress on data sheets and enters into database. This will include the accurate reporting of gross acreage covered, treated, treatment amount and type, hours, location, species, and species coverage.

Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Basic equipment operation and safety
• Florida natural communities, including both native and exotic plants
• Land management techniques used to control invasive exotic species

Skill in:

• Herbicide sprayers
• Invasive plant control
• Familiarity with tools and equipment used in natural resource survey (e.g. GPS devices)
• All-wheel drive equipment, mowers, tractors, and trailering equipment
• Including hand, power/ gas tools
• Computer use and application as it relates to the collection and storage of scientific data
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing

Ability to:

• Deal with others in a positive manner and maintain good public relations
• Operate a farm tractor with various implements such as disc-harrow, bush hog, tree cutter, and box blade
• Operate zero turn mowers
• Work weekends and Holidays and rotating shifts as needed
• Perform assigned field work despite excessive heat, cold, biting insects, and other adverse environmental conditions
• Perform physical labor with minimal supervision
• To work in remote and isolated locations independently
• Operate 4x4 trucks and ATV/UTVs in variable terrain
• Operate and maintain vehicles, tools, and equipment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• To read and follow a map
• Work as a team or independently
• Differentiate between native plant species and exotic plant species
• Lift and carry heavy objects of at least 40 lbs. while walking across uneven terrain

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid driver’s license.

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

[email protected]

[email protected]

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.